DALLAS – Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20th District), who chairs the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, issued the following statement about the governor’s statewide disaster declaration regarding the heroin and opioid abuse crisis that is impacting every county across the commonwealth:
“The deadly extent and depth of the opioid crisis demands extraordinary actions. As the announced mobilization of state resources moves forward, it is clear that developing the full range of reforms, responses, and remedies necessary will need the input and participation of more than just officials in Harrisburg.
In the Senate, the starting steps we have put into place have been collaborative and community-inspired. Many worthy recommendations for action have and will continue to emerge from the community – local officials, emergency responders, health care workers, addictions professionals, and many others.
That seems the most promising approach to the sort of intensive intervention envisioned here, so we are hopeful the administration is committed to the same broad advocacy effort involving the community, and working in concert with legislators.”
Contact:
Andrew M. Seder
aseder@pasen.gov
(570) 226-5960